Let's Hear About Your First Year

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Was it good, bad, stressful, overwhelming, rewarding? How was the real world vs. the nursing school version?

This is addressed to those who have or are finishing up their first year of nursing about this time.

[Sgt_Chunk_Spelunker]

I'm not sure yet. I was just laid off, am having a difficult time finding another LPN job, and am not sure that I even care about being a nurse anymore...

I was treated like crap at my last job. The pay sucked as well. No vacation time, a sucky schedule, abusive patients, etc... I think I'm gonna' go be a crackw**** instead. Muahahahaha!

[tommycher]

Just finished my first year in June. It was great! My life is running around a never ending learning curve! Work in a great hospital with a lot of support from experienced nurses who are never too busy to educate. It is so different from clinicals in that we had no idea the amount of organization and critical thinking required, talking about it was nothing compared to doing it. I love nursing, but can see now that not alot of people are hard wired to operate this way. Will continue my education and keep going.

[harley_fan]

It has been wonderful! I am still learning and I think that is the best part. I have gotten down all of the facility rituals needed, and when I am in doubt there is always someone available to help me. That's the biggest difference from "school nursing" to real world - nursing is not an independent job role, it's definitely team work.

Sure, I have those days when I think I would much rather have an office job, but the days where I get compliments and I know I made a difference in someone else's life, makes up for any bad days I have had.